·     The xukpi – also referred to as a “bird-staff” in English – is a ritual object used in certain dances. It has the shape of a cross, of about 2/3 to 3/4 human height. It has two circular elements (resembling the abstract variant of mo, i.e. a circle of touching dots), one on each end of the arms of the cross. At the top there is the effigy of bird, with wings and tail outstretched (seen from the top), with the head pointing down. From the ends of the initial, shortish tail are more long, flowing tail feathers, apparently always with two or more curving off in one direction and a single, solitary long, flowing tail feather curving off in the opposite direction. At the bottom end of the vertical shaft of the cross there’s a long stretch of what appears to be fabric, flaring out slightly at the bottom.

·     The xukpi features in the dance rituals recorded in YAX Lintel 2 and YAX Lintel 5 – in both cases it is represented in the iconography and referred to in the glyphic text:

o YAX Lintel 2 features three(!) xukpis: one held by the junior participant in the dance, and two by the senior participant.

o YAX Lintel 5 features two xukpis: both held by the male (i.e. main) participant in the dance.